PM Shehbaz puts off official visit to Russia over ‘regional, internal situation’

• PM’s Office says a new date would be decided after ‘mutual consultations’

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday postponed his scheduled official visit to the Russian Federation, due to the evolving security situation in the “regional and internal situation,” state media reported.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed the development, saying a new date would be decided after “mutual consultations.”

حالیہ علاقائی و داخلی صورتحال کے پیش نظر وزیرِ اعظم نے مشاورت کے بعد اپنے دورہء روس کو مؤخر کرنے کا فیصلہ کیا ہے۔

وزیرِ اعظم کا دورہء روس دونوں ممالک کے دو طرفہ تعلقات میں پیش رفت کیلئے انتہائی اہمیت رکھتا ہے، مگر موجودہ حالات کے پیش نظر یہ دورہ مؤخر کیا گیا ہے.

دورے کی نئی… pic.twitter.com/pSxe5w6bQR

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) March 1, 2026

It added that the premier’s visit to Russia was of “great significance” for advancing the bilateral relations between the two countries, but given the current situation, it was being postponed.

According to Russian media, PM Shehbaz was due to visit to Russia from March 3 to 5.

The development comes as Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against the Afghan Taliban earlier this week after the neighbouring country launched unprovoked fire across the border at multiple sectors in border +Pakistani positions along the border.

Separately, the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Saturday, assassinating Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran called the strikes unprovoked and illegal and responded with missiles fired at Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host US bases.

The assassination resulted in protests across major cities in Pakistan on Sunday, and nine people died in Karachi after protesters clashed with law enforcement personnel near the US Consulate on Mai Kolachi Road.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi urging citizens to remain peaceful.

“Today is a sorrowful day for the entire Muslim ummah, Pakistan’s public and Iran’s public,” he said in a video statement.

Stating that every Pakistani citizen was as aggrieved as Iranians, Naqvi said, “My only request is that we all stand with you, but please do not take the law into your hands. You may protest but peacefully.”